March 29, 2013

Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan: Consumer confidence continued to improve in the March survey due to more positive signs of expanding employment.

ANN ARBOR - Consumer confidence continued to improve in the March survey due to more positive signs of expanding employment. Rising home prices also had a positive impact on consumer balance sheets and their will-ingness to purchase homes and vehicles. The major prob-lem now facing consumers is meager income increases, with half of all consumers expecting price increases to ex-ceed income gains during the year ahead. While the cuts in federal spending and the hike in payroll taxes will be a drag on economic growth, consumers now anticipate that accelerated job gains will provide an improved financial situation and enable moderate economic growth.